'Karate Kid' Director Boards 'Mortal Instruments' Adaptation

Harald Zwart will helm the big-screen version of Cassandra Clare's young adult novel.

Director Harald Zwart has boarded Mortal Instruments, the adaptation of Cassandra Clare’s YA fantasy novel being made by Constantin Film and Unique Pictures.

The move puts the adaptation back into focus after it lost Screen Gems as its partner and after director Scott Stewart (Priest) left to work a TV series based on his film Legion.

Lily Collins remains attached to star as young woman who discovers she is the descendant of a line of secret cadre of half-angel warriors locked in an ancient battle to protect the world from demons. Jessica Postigo and I. Marlene King wrote the script.

Constantin has set August 15 as the start of principal photography in Toronto.

Zwart was known for his work in light-hearted fare such as Agent Cody Banks and Pink Panther 2 but staged an impressive segue when he directed the 2010 remake of The Karate Kid. The movie received strong notices and grossed $359 million worldwide.

Robert Kulzer is producing for Constantin Film while Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne produce via Unique. Martin Moszkowicz, Constantin Film’s head of film & TV, is executive producing.